Remote controlled football game with pass play apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game board formed of a frame defining a playing surface with means such as a pair of superimposed, diversely moving, flexible sheets for remotely producing controlled diverse movements of playing pieces resting on the playing surface. The lower sheet has magnetic areas and the game pieces incorporate magnets or a magnetic element movable between positions in which their magnetic fields, respectively, may interlink with one or more of the magnetic areas, thereby causing the pieces to stand or move with the lower sheet, and other positions in which their fields clear the magnetic areas whereby the game pieces will frictionally adhere to the upper sheet for standing or moving therewith, irrespective of the movement of the lower sheet. Controlled powering means is provided whereby the players may produce selected diverse movements of their respective game pieces in accordance with the game rules. Related game ball action is simulated by the means of a bead on a rod with variable directional settings from a bridge piece placed over the playing surface.

United States Patent Reed 1 154] REMOTE CONTROLLED FOOTBALL GAME WITHPASS PLAY APPARATUS Donald L.' Reed, 12415 Broken Arrow, Houston, Tex.77024 [22] Filed: March 11,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 18,513

[72] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl. ..273/94 R, 46/240, 273/1 M,

273/85 R, 273/85 F 51 1 Int. Cl. ..A63f 7/06 581 Field olSearch 273/94R, as, 85 o, 85 F, 1 M, 273/85 R; 46/240 [56] References Cited I UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,400,931 9/1968 Thornton ..273/94 R [45] June 27, 1972Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkharn Assistant ExaminerPaul E. ShapiroAttorney-Bertram H. Mann, F rank B. Pugsley, James G. Ulmer; Delmar L.Sroufe and Larry B. Feldcamp [5 7] ABSTRACT A game board formed of aframe defining a playing surface with means such as a pair ofsuperimposed, diversely moving, flexible sheets for remotely producingcontrolled diverse movements of playing pieces resting on the playingsurface, The lower sheet has magnetic areas and the game piecesincorporate magnets or a magnetic element movable between positions inwhich their magnetic fields, respectively, may interlink with one ormore of the magnetic areas, thereby causing the pieces to stand or movewith the lower sheet, and other' positions in which their fields clearthe magnetic areas whereby the game pieces will frictionally adhere tothe upper sheet for standing or moving therewith, irrespective of themovement of the lower sheet. Controlled powering means is providedwhereby the players may produce selected diverse movements of theirrespective game pieces in accordance with the game rules. Related gameball action is simulated by the means of a bead on a rod with variabledirectional settings from a bridge piece placed over the playingsurface.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTE'nJum m2 3, 67 2 674 SHEET 1 OF 4IN VENTOR.

PATENTEIJJum 1912 3,572,574

sum 2 or 4 Jana/a 1. Reed INVENTOR.

GM/72T- 142M".

ATTORNEY REMOTE CONTROLLED FOOTBALL GAME WITH PASS PLAY APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I Toy games which are intended to simulateaction games are enjoying increased popularity today. This relates tothe preoccupation of the American people with action sports and theincrease of leisure time and a standard of living that allows spendingfor leisure time activities.

However, the toy games which are available at present involve mostlyluck, rather than skill, and are without remote directional control ofthe action of selected individual players or selected groups of players.Game ball movement is generally inadequately treated and withoutrealistic simulation of actual game behavior.

Action toy games offering remote control of players and more accuratelyrendered game ball action will allow simulation of game playing veryclose to actual full size games and would have broad appeal.

It is desirable in an action toy game concept that children be intriguedwith the movements, yet the movements be within their control. Alsodesirable, however, are the full implications of developed and executedstrategy and action that will appeal to adults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide game apparatus whereby two players may simulate anaction game and which requires the application of substantial skill andforesight in the manipulation of the game pieces. In accordance with theinvention there is provided in a preferred form a frame rotatablymounting pairs of spindles at the ends and sides thereof about whichextend continuous loops of flexible material, at least the upperportions of which are disposed in closely superposed relationship. Thespindles are driven by motors with remote controls whereby the playersmay actuate the superposed sheets oppositely and at ninety degrees toeach other. The lowermost of the superposed sheets has separated areasof magnetic material, for instance, along the lines of magneticrecording tapes, while the upper sheet is nonmagnetic. Game pieces reston the upper sheet, which forms the playing surface, each piece having amagnet which is movable between a lower position, in which its field mayinterlink with at least one of the mentioned magnetic areas for causingthe piece to follow the lower sheet, irrespective of movement of theupper sheet, and an upper position in which the piece will frictionallyadhere to the upper sheet, irrespective of the movement of the lowersheet. Related game ball action is simulated by the means of a bead on arod with variable directional settings from a bridge piece placed overthe playing surface. Thus, the game pieces and game ball may be causedto move about somewhat in the manner of the actual game players andball, and, by adhering to game rules, the players may engage in achallenging and pleasing game simulating, for instance,American-stylefootball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. I is an isometric view of the game board with game pieces mountedthereon in six-man football, array.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through one of the game piecessubstantially enlarged.

FIG. 3 is a similar view of a game piece in a different operativeposition.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the apparatus, certain framingpiecesbeing omitted and the game pieces being substantiallyenlarged forclearer illustration of the operative principle.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and illustrating a different mannerof movement of the game pieces.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing a part of one of the looped sheetswhich produce movement of the game pieces.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a modified arrangement of the game board.

FIG. 8 is a section taken on line 8 -8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of the powering and control means. r

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E are schematic representationsillustrating game moves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The game apparatus asillustrated in FIG. 1 consists of a basic frame including hollow sidepieces 12 and 13 and similar end pieces 14 and 15. Within these framepieces (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are rotatably mounted oppose-d pairs ofrollers or spindles 16 and I7 and 18 and 19. About the pairs of spindles16 and 17 there is received a continuous loop 20 of flexible sheeting,while about the other pair of rollers or spindles l8 and 19 there isreceived a second continuous. loop of flexible sheeting 21. Spindle 16is driven by a reversible motor 22, and spindle 19 is driven by areversible motor 23, both through suitable reduction gearing not shown.Mounted at the other diametrically opposite corners of the frame aremotor control levers 24 and 25 (FIG. 1) projecting through intersectingguide slots 26, 27 and 28, 29. Each motor is provided with a timer 30,31 (see FIG. 9) having an adjusting knob as 32, 33. Goal posts 34 and 35(FIG. 1) project from each end frame member while yard markings extendalong the side frame members, as at 36.

The game pieces, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, are identical exceptfor team designations, such as coloring. Each has a body 40 with pivotedarms 41 and 42. A small magnet 43 is slidably received in thecountersink 44 at the bottom of an axial orifice extending through thebody. The orifice has an intermediate portion 45 separated fromcountersink 44 by an angular shoulder 46, which, in practice, may beformed by a split ring or otherwise, and terminated at the top by meansof an annular shoulder 47 through which extends a pin or neck 48 havinga bulbous upper extremity 49 simulating the helmeted head of a footballplayer. Formed intermediately on pin or neck 48 is a collar 50 which isnormally urged against shoulder 47 by means of a coiled spring 51seating at its lower end against vertical ribs 59 forming annularshoulders 52 in the wall of orifice portion 45. Detent fingers S3 dependfrom the bottom end of pin 48 on both sides thereof.

A pin 54 projects upwardly from magnet 43 through shoulder 46 andterminates in a toothed cup 55 having deep recesses 56 and shallowerteeth 57 in the wall thereof. A light spring 58 urges the magnet and cupunit upwardly. These aligned parts within orifice 44, 45 form amore-or-less conventional propel and repel mechanism of the well-knownballpoint pen type. When downward pressure is applied to the helmetedend 49 of the pin 48, detent fingers 53 are urged downwardly againstregistering teeth 57 to depress cup 55 sufficiently to clear orificewall ribs 59 :so that the cup unit will rotate one step. Upon release ofend 49, cup 55 is urged up wardly by its coiled spring 58, ribs 59alternately seating against teeth 57 and slots 56. Following alternateindexing of cup 55 in this manner, magnet 43 will be alternatelypositioned at the bottom of countersink 44, as in FIG. 2, and upwardlyin the vicinity of shoulder 46, as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of the flexible loop 20, the upper portionof which underlies the corresponding portion of loop 21. In order tocooperate with magnets 43 in the playing pieces, loop 20 is providedwith separated areas 61 of magnetic material, the intervening areasbeing nonmagnetic. This arrangement of magnetic areas is such that whena magnet 43 of a playingpiece is in its lowered position, as in FIG. 2,its magnetic field will interlink with the nearest magnetic area orareas 61 of loop 20 causing the corresponding playing piece to remainstationary or move with loop 20 irrespective of the movement of upperloop 21 upon which the playing piece rests. On the other hand, when amagnet 43 is in its upper position, as in FIG. 3, its field willsubstantially clear magnetic areas 61 sothat theplaying piece willfrictionally adhere to upper loop .21 irrespective of the condition ofmovement of lower loop 20. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower loop 20 isillustrated as consisting of separately formed magnetic and nonmagneticareas. However, this is merely illustrative, and it would be preferableto form the magnetic areas by some process which will merely impregnatethe isolated areas to be rendered magnetic. Also, it would be possibleto reverse the magnetic effects by magnetizing areas 61 and havingelement 43 in the playing pieces of magnetic material to serve as thearmature portions of the system. The degree of magnetism and thearrangement in relationship of areas 61 will be empirically determinedin order to achieve the desired selective movements of the playingpieces that will be described.

FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically represent the types of individual playingpiece movements which can be remotely produced in connection with aplanned system of play action moves. In FIG. 4, a playing piecegenerally designated 65 has its magnet 43 lowered so as to respond tomovements of lower band loop 20, while the other playing piece 66 hasits magnet 43a raised so that the playing piece frictionally adheres toupper band loop 21. Assuming a movement of upper band loop 21 in thedirection indicated by arrow 67, while lower band loop remainsstationary, playing piece also will remain stationary while playingpiece 66 will follow upper band loop 61 to the dotted line position 66a,as indicated by arrow 68. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that upper band loop21 remains stationary while lower band loop 20 is moved in the directionindicated by arrow 69. Now, helmeted head 49 of piece 65 has been tappeddownwardly, which has the effect of lifting magnet 43, while head 49a ofpiece 66 has also been tapped downwardly which lowers its magnet 43a.Thus, piece 65 will frictionally adhere to stationary upper band loop 21and piece 66 will move laterally, as indicated by arrow 70, followingband loop 20, to position 66b shown in dotted line.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show additional equipment for simulating passing orkicking action. A bridge 74 is placed on side frames 12 and 13 spanningthe playing surface. A rod 75 is secured in a sleeve 76 as by means of aset screw 77. A pintle 78 projecting sidewardly from sleeve 76 isrotatably received in a bearing cup 79 projecting above a bracket 80which slidably embraces bridge 74. A set screw 81 provides for lockingrod 75 in a desired position. A bead 82 is slidably received on rod 75.A balance weight 75a may be provided at the short end of rod 75 which,preferably, may extend about half the length of the playing field. FIG.7 also shows offensive and defensive playing pieces 83 and 84 with theirarms extended upwardly and in pass play receiving positions andquarterback 85 in pass throwing position.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary wiring diagram for actuating theband-operating motors and the remote motor controls. A source ofelectrical power is shown at 86, for instance, ordinary 120-volt housecurrent, and this is connected to a transformer 87. (A rectifier, notshown, also may be provided if DC motors are used.) The secondary of thetransformer is connected through pairs of wires 88 and 89 to timers 30and 31 having adjusting knobs 32 and 33, as previously mentioned. Oneside of the timed current is led through wires 90 and 91 to movablecontacts 92 and 93 of four-position switches generally designated A andB. Contacts 94 and 95 of switch A are connected by wires 96 and 97 toforward and reverse leads 98 and 99 of motor 23 which drives spindle orroller 19 and longitudinally moving (upper) band loop 21. Common lead100 of motor 23 returns to the secondary of transformer 87. Motor leads98 and 99 also may be energized from contacts 101 and 102 of switch B.

The other contacts 104 and 105 of switch A and 106 and 107 of switch Bare connected, respectively, by wires 108 and 109 and 110 and 111 to theforward and reverse leads 112 and 113 of a motor 22 which drives spindleor roller 18 and belt 20. Four-way switches A and B are actuated,respectively, by levers 24 and 25 so that the motors can be selectivelyactuated by manipulation of either of the levers by either of twoplayers, for instance, in turn.

FIGS. 10Al0E illustrate a series of moves constituting one ratherelemental action play utilizing six men (playing pieces) on each sidewhich may be initially aligned, as in FIG.

10A, wherein the offensive team players are shown with dark helmets anddefensive players with unshaded helmets. The offensive team utilizesthree linemen 115, 116, and 117 and three backfielders 118, 119, and 120arranged stepwise to the right. Four defensive players 121-124,inclusive, are arranged on the line and the other two defensive players125 and 126 are positioned as linebackers. It is assumed that the ruleswill provide for alternate moves by the two players lasting forprearranged time periods to be set with the use of timing knobs 32 and33. The timer therefore establishes the distance of a move.

Prior to the first move, the offensive player designates piece 119 asthe ball carrier and taps the helmets of selected players causing themagnets of linemen and 117 to be raised so that these men will remainstationary for a lateral move, and causes the magnets of center 116 andbacks 1 18, 1 19, and 120 to be in a lowered position for a lateralmove. The defensive player is allowed to tap the helmets of his playersin anticipation of the offensive players move. In this example, heanticipates a lateral move and raises the magnets of the four linemenand lowers the magnets of the two defensive backs. The offensive playerthen makes his move, positioning lever 24 in the direction to causemagnetic undersheet to move to the right. All players with magnets indown position now move the distance allowed by the timer. Ofiensive men,center 116 and backs 118, 119, and 120, move to the right. Defensivebacks and 126 also move to the right as the offensive players move.

It is now the turn of the defensive operator who moves his linemen 122and 124 forwardly as indicated by the arrows II. All offensive playingpieces have remained stationary during this defensive movement. Now theoffensive operator, in his turn, elects to move his three backfieldersforwardly, as symbolized by the arrow portions 111, while all defensivemen have remained stationary, it being understood that the helmets oflinemen 122 and 124 have been again tapped to achieve this result.

Now with reference to FIG. 10B, defensive operator decides to move hisright end 121 and right tackle 122 leftwardly, as symbolized by thebroken arrows IV, while offensive playing pieces remain stationary.Offensive player now moves his linemen 116 and 117 leftwardly, asindicated by the arrows V, while defensive men remain stationary. Thishas the effect of shifting defensive right tackle 122 back to his playIV position (see FIG. 10C). The sixth move (defensive) involves shiftingof left end 124 rightwardly as symbolized by the broken arrow Vl, whileall other men remain stationary. In his move number seven, offensiveplayer shifts his two linemen 1 16 and 117 and all three backfielders118-120 forwardly (arrows VII). In move eight, FIG. 10D, defense lineman122 moves to his left, as symbolized by the dashed arrow VIII, no othermen moving at this time. Also shown on FIG. 10D is ofiensive playersmove nine in which his three backfielders 118-120 and his right end 117all move forwardly, as symbolized by the arrows IX. In the finalmovement of this play (FIG. 10E), defense moves his right tackle 122 tohis left to contact previously designated ball carrier 1 19, whichconstitutes a tackle.

If the offensive play is to be a forward pass, the offensive playerduring his turn sends potential receivers with arms extended overheaddown-field. The defensive player will be responsive by moving hisdefensive backs with arms extended to cover the potential receivers.Meanwhile, the defensive player can rush the quarterback. At the momentthe offensive player wishes to throw the ball, the bridge 74 is mountedon the game framing and the bead 82 is placed over the quarterbacks headand passing rod 75 oriented down-field in the direction desired. Theoffensive player with a flick of his finger drives the bead down-fieldas nearly as possible to where he wants the bead to stop on the rod.First the offensive player, then the defensive player, has a move toattempt to touch the ball (bead) moving a selected game piece eitherlaterally or longitudinally. If the offensive players piece touches thebead in one move, the pass is completed and the normal sequence ofdefensive and offensive moves continues. If the ofiensive players'piecedoes not complete the pass and the defensive players piece touches theball on his move, the pass is intercepted and the normal sequence ofoffensive and defensive moves continues. If neither the offensive nordefensive players piece touches the ball in its respective single moves,the pass is considered incomplete.

Punts are executed by placing the bridge on the game framing with thebead over the kickerhead. The rod 75 is aimed for the desired directionof the kick and the bead flicked down-field with the distance on the rodestablishing the distance of the kick. A hard bead and a hard tip on therod will allow the bead to rebound, so that if the head is flicked toohard the final rebounded location of the bead will establish the lengthof the kick.

Kickoffs will be the same general procedure as punts, but with theplaying pieces in required game positions for kickoff plays.

Field goals are simulated by utilizing frame 74 and orienting rod 75between the goal posts. The head is placed over the kickers head and thebead flicked toward the goal post. if the bead stops over zone 130, thefield goal attempt is considered good.

Extra points would be executed the same as field goals from the properfield location after a touchdown.

The rules of the game may be modified as needed to increase theenjoyment of the game, and the rules and corresponding play actions asset forth above are intended to be merely exemplary. The spindles 18 and19 may be driven and controlled manually. The game action describedherein uses six-man football as an example for the remote controlledplayer action and related ball movement concepts. The game principlescan be similarly applied to all action team sports such as eleven-manfootball, basketball, soccer, hockey, and volley ball, also individualaction games such as golf, tennis, and handball, also racing games suchas auto, motorcycle, horse and dog racing, and to track and fieldevents. Various modifications may be made in the structure shown anddescribed as will occur to those skilled in the art, and the exclusiveuse of all modifications as come within the scope of the appended claimsis contemplated.

I claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of sheets one su' perimposedupon the other, said sheets being movable in different directionsrelative to each other in their respective planes, a game piecesupported on the upper of such sheets, and means incorporated in saidpiece and said movable sheets functioning to constrain said pieceselectively to follow the motion or absence of motion of either of saidsheets.

2. Game apparatus as described in claim 3 in which the underlying one ofsaid sheets includes magnetic material and said device comprises amagnet or a magnetic element which is shiftable, respectively, betweenpositions in which its field, respectively, effectively links with andclears said magnetic material.

3. Game apparatus as described in claim 2 in which said magneticmaterial is disposed in separate areas on said latter sheet.

4. Game apparatus as described in claim 2 in which said game piece has abase portion for resting on the upper of said sheets and adapted tofrictionally adhere to said upper sheet, when said magnet is in saidsecond position, irrespective of movement of said magnetic material.

5. Game apparatus as described in claim 2 including a plurality of saidgame pieces each constructed for movement with either of said sheets inaccordance with the positioning of its magnet.

6. Game apparatus as described in claim 2 in which said game piecefurther incorporates magnet or magnetic element positioning meansincluding an element adapted to be manipulated to cause said magnet ormagnetic element alternately to assume and hold said respectivepositions upon actuation of said element. I

7. Game apparatus as described in claim 1 further including a generallyplanar frame and pairs of spaced apart parallel spindles mounted in saidframe, said sheets being of flexible material and each drivinglyengaging one of said pairs of spindies.

8. Game apparatus as described in claim 7 further including motor meansfor individually driving said pairs of spindles and said sheets andmanual controls for said motor means.

9. Ball game apparatus comprising a support frame, a playing surface, agame piece for resting on said surface and movement thereon, a slide formovable mounting on said frame, a pivoted rod on said slide forselective disposition with respect to said frame, a ball mounted on saidrod and movable with said rod along said slide in simulation of the pathof a ball in flight and generally parallel to said. surface, and meansfor moving the game piece in a manner to intercept said ball.

10. Ball game apparatus as described in claim 9 in which said playingsurface is formed by a first movable sheet and further including asecond movable sheet with magnetic areas underlying said first sheet,and a magnet incorporated in said game piece and movable between firstand second positions in which its field, respectively, interlinks withand clears at least one of said magnetic areas whereby said piece, whenresting on said first sheet, will follow one or the other of said sheetsin accordance with the positioning of its magnet.

1. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of sheets one superimposed uponthe other, said sheets being movable in different directions relative toeach other in their respective planes, a game piece supported on theupper of such sheets, and means incorporated in said piece and saidmovable sheets functioning to constrain said piece selectively to followthe motion or absence of motion of either of said sheets.
 2. Gameapparatus as described in claim 3 in which the underlying one of saidsheets includes magnetic material and said device comprises a magnet ora magnetic element which is shiftable, respectively, between positionsin which its field, respectively, effectively links with and clears saidmagnetic material.
 3. Game apparatus as described in claim 2 in whichsaid magnetic material is disposed in separate areas on said lattersheet.
 4. Game apparatus as described in claim 2 in which said gamepiece has a base portion for resting on the upper of said sheets andadapted to frictionally adhere to said upper sheet, when said magnet isin said second position, irrespective of movement of said magneticmaterial.
 5. Game apparatus as described in claim 2 including aplurality of said game pieces each constructed for movement with eitherof said sheets in accordance with the positioning of its magnet.
 6. Gameapparatus as described in claim 2 in which said game piece furtherincorporates magnet or magnetic element positioning means including anelement adapted to be manipulated to cause said magnet or magneticelement alternately to assume and hold said respective positions uponactuation of said element.
 7. Game apparatus as described in claim 1further including a generally planar frame and pairs of spaced apartparallel spindles mounted in said frame, said sheets being of flexiblematerial and each drivingly engaging one of said pairs of spindles. 8.Game apparatus as described in claim 7 further including motor means forindividually driving said pairs of spindles and said sheets and manualcontrols for said motor means.
 9. Ball game apparatus comprising asupport frame, a playing surface, a game piece for resting on saidsurface and movement thereon, a slide for movable mounting on saidframe, a pivoted rod on said slide for selective disposition withrespect to said frame, a ball mounted on said rod and movable with saidrod along said slide in simulation of the path of a ball in flight andgenerally parallel to said surface, and means for moving the game piecein a manner to intercept said ball.
 10. Ball game apparatus as describedin claim 9 in which said playing surface is formed by a first movablesheet and further including a second movable sheet with magnetic areasunderlying said first sheet, and a magnet incorporated in said gamepiece and movable between first and second positions in which its field,respectively, interlinks with and clears at least one of said magneticareas whereby said piece, when resting on said first sheet, will followone or the other of said sheets in accordance with the positioning ofits magnet.